ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.

Objective: To reveal the molecular biological mechanism of a rare Dc-variant individual using PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Methods: ABO and Rh blood type identification, DAT, unexpected antibody screening and D antigen enhancement test were conducted by serological testing. The absorption-elution test was used to detect the e antigen. RHCE gene typing was performed by PCR-SSP, and the 1-10 exons of RHCE were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. The full-length sequences of RHCE, RHD and RHAG were detected by PacBio third-generation sequencing technology. Results: Serological findings: Blood type O, Dc-phenotype, DAT negative, unexpected antibody screening negative; enhanced D antigen expression; no detection of e antigen in the absorption-elution test. PCR-SSP genotyping indicated the presence of only the RHCE c allele. Sanger sequencing results: Exons 5-9 of RHCE were deleted, exon 1 had a heterozygous mutation at c. 48G/C, and exon 2 had five heterozygous mutations at c. 150C/T, c. 178C/A, c. 201A/G, c. 203A/G and c. 307C/T. Third-generation sequencing results: RHCE genotype was RHCE 02N. 08/RHCE-D(5-9)-CE; RHD genotype was RHD 01/RHD 01; RHAG genotype was RHAG 01/RHAG 01 (c. 808G>A and c. 861G>A). Conclusion: This Dc-individual carries the allele RHCE 02N. 08 and the novel allele RHCE-D(5-9)-CE. The findings of this study provide data support and a theoretical basis for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying RhCE deficiency phenotypes.

Objective To investigate the mid- to long-term follow-up results of ascending aorta (AAO)-descending thoracic aorta (DTA) bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of patients with complex aortic arch coarctation who underwent AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision at the First Hospital of Tsinghua University from August 2004 to May 2017. Results A total of 7 patients were enrolled, including 4 males and 3 females, aged (13.3±4.6) years, and weighted (40.2±12.2) kg. Six (85.7%) patients had concomitant upper limb hypertension. Four patients were aortic arch coarctation combined with intracardiac malformations, two were post-operative restenosis, and 1 was post-operative restenosis combined with intracardiac malformation. All patients underwent surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. There were no perioperative deaths or major complications. The pre-operative upper-lower limb pressure difference was (39.3±19.2) mm Hg, which decreased to (2.9±2.7) mm Hg post-operatively (P<0.01). The follow-up period was (14.9±5.9) years. There were no long-term deaths or artificial graft-related complications. Except for one patient who still had mild hypertension, the blood pressure of the remaining patients returned to normal. Conclusion AAO-DTA bypass grafting via median sternotomy incision for the treatment of complex aortic arch coarctation can effectively reduce upper limb blood pressure and the upper-lower limb arterial pressure difference, has fewer complications, and demonstrates satisfactory mid- to long-term efficacy.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） is a multisystem disease associated with obesity， insulin resistance， and dyslipidemia and has a complex pathogenesis. Studies have shown that gut microbiota dysbiosis is closely associated with the onset of NAFLD， and traditional Chinese medicine treatment can improve the laboratory markers and clinical symptoms of NAFLD patients by regulating intestinal microbiota and its metabolites. This article elaborates on the association between NAFLD and gut microbiota， the involvement of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD， and the possible mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine treatment in improving NAFLD from the perspective of gut microbiota， in order to provide new ideas for the treatment of NAFLD.

In this paper, the antitussive and expectorant activity of platycodin D (PD) were studied by constructing a mouse cough induced by concentrated ammonia water and a mouse trachea phenol red excretion model. The mechanism of antitussive and expectorant effect of PD was studied by metabolomics. The animal experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: JZLLSC-20220739). Then mice were randomly divided into the normal, model, positive drug, PD low-dose, PD medium-dose and PD high-dose group. The antitussive and expectorant effects of PD were evaluated using a cough mouse model induced by concentrated ammonia water and a mouse tracheal phenol red excretion model, respectively. UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS was used to identify the metabolites of mouse lung tissue, and multivariate statistical analysis method of orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used for metabolites profile analysis. The differential metabolites were screened by variable projected importance value (VIP) and t-test results. Pathways for enrichment of differentiated metabolites were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst platform. The comparative method was applied to analyze the differences in mechanisms of PD, Deapio-platycodin D (DPD) and total platycosides fraction. The results showed that PD at different concentrations could significantly prolong (P < 0.05) the incubation period of cough mice induced by ammonia water, reduce the coughs frequency, and significantly increase (P < 0.05) the amount of phenol red excretion in phenol red excretion model mice. PD could regulate 6 metabolic pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism to exert antitussive effect. It could also regulate 8 metabolic pathways of linoleic acid metabolism, glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism, glycerol phospholipid metabolism, citric acid cycle and arachidonic acid metabolism to exert an expectorant effect. However, only linoleic acid metabolism and glycerophospholipid metabolism could be regulated by the PD, total platycosides fraction and DPD, which may be ascribed to the structural difference of the platycosides and the interaction between platycosides and the intestinal microbiota. Functional analysis showed that these metabolic pathways are closely related to the regulatory mechanisms of anti-inflammatory response, immune function regulation, neurotransmitter release, cell signal transduction, energy metabolism and cell apoptosis. This study shows that PD possesses good antitussive and expectorant activities. In addition, the mechanism difference of PD, total platycosides fraction and DPD imply that the apiose in PD and the interaction between PD and intestinal microbiota could exert an important effect on the antitussive and expectorant mechanism of the platycosides.

Objective To establish the methods of galvanic vestibular stimulation-vestibular evoked myogenic potentials(GVS-VEMPs)in healthy children and to obtain the normal value of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in these children in China.Methods Twenty(3～14 years)healthy children and 24 healthy adults(18～30 years)were enrolled for conventional examinations of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP.Using the galvanic stimulation in-tensity under 3 mA/1 ms for children and 5 mA/1 ms for adults.The characteristics of elicitation and parameter re-sults of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children and adults,as well as the pain scores and the elicitation of differ-ent stimulus intensities in the two age groups were recorded.Results The elicitation of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP were both 100.0％in children and adult groups.The p1 latency,n1 latency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-cVEMP were 10.46±1.84 ms,16.98±2.12 ms and 6.52±1.42 ms respectively in children group,the n1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency were significantly shorter than the adult group(P＜0.05).The n1 latency,p1 la-tency and p1-n1 interval latency of GVS-oVEMP were 8.87±1.40 ms,12.25±1.80 ms and 3.39±1.07 ms re-spectively in children group with no significant difference between the two groups.The thresholds of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP in children group were significantly lower than adult group(P＜0.01),but no differences were found in adult group regarding on the amplitude and interaural amplitude asymmetry ratio.In addition,with the in-crease of the intensity of galvanic stimulation,the correlation between pain scores and the elicitation rates of GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP also increased.Conclusion Using appropriate stimulus intensity and recording methods,GVS-cVEMP and GVS-oVEMP could be successfully assessed and detected in healthy children over 3 years old and adolescents.The latency of GVS-cVEMP in children is slightly shorter than that in adults,therefore we recommend selecting the matched age group for assessment in the children group.

Objective To investigate the genetic causes of auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy in a family.Methods The proband's medical history and family history were inquired in detail,and relevant clinical examina-tions were performed to confirm the diagnosis of auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy,and the genetic pedigree of the family was drawn.Peripheral blood of proband(Ⅲ-7)was collected for whole exome sequencing,and the patho-genicity of the detected mutations were interpreted.Blood samples of proband's wife(Ⅲ-8),eldest daughter(Ⅳ-7),second daughter(Ⅳ-9)and son(Ⅳ-10)were tested for mutation sites by Sanger sequencing.Combined with clinical manifestations and examination results,the family was studied.Results The genetic pattern of this family was autosomal dominant.The proband showed decreased visual acuity at the age of 19,bilateral sensorineural deaf-ness at the age of 30,and decreased speech recognition rate.Among 20 members of the family of 5 generations,10(2 deceased)showed similar symptoms of hearing and visual impairment.Proband(Ⅲ-7),eldest daughter(Ⅳ-7)and son(Ⅳ-10)underwent relevant examination.Pure tone audiometry showed bilateral sensorineural deafness.ABR showed no response bilaterally.The 40 Hz AERP showed no response in both ears.OAE showed responses in some or all of the frequencies.No stapedial reflex was detected.The eye movement of Ⅲ-7 and Ⅳ-10 were reasona-ble in all directions,and color vision was normal.Ocular papilla atrophy was observed in different degrees in fundus examination.OCT showed thinning of optic disc nerve fibers in both eyes,and visual evoked potential showed pro-longed P100 wave peak.They were diagnosed as hereditary auditory neuropathy with optic atrophy.A mutation of the OPA1 gene c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)at a pathogenic locus on chromosome 3 was detected by whole exon detection in Ⅲ-7.The results of generation sequencing analysis showed that the OPA1 gene c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)mutation of chromosome 3 was also found in Ⅳ-7 and Ⅳ-10.Meanwhile,the gen-otypes of Ⅲ-8 and Ⅳ-9 were wild homozygous,that is,no mutation occurred.Conclusion The OPA1 c.1334G＞A(p.Arg445His,NM_015560.2)mutation site might be the pathogenic mutation in this family.

BACKGROUND:Irisin,a myokine isolated from the transmembrane protein FNDC5 by muscle cells during exercise,has the function of inducing the browning of white adipose tissue,but its effect on lipotoxicity-induced osteogenic differentiation and the mechanism is unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of irisin on the osteogenic ability of palmitic acid-induced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and the mechanism of action. METHODS:CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of different concentrations of palmitic acid on the proliferation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and the effect of irisin on the proliferation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the presence of palmitic acid.After pretreatment with irisin and palmitic acid for 24 hours,osteogenic differentiation of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was induced by alkaline phosphatase staining as well as qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of osteogenesis-related genes on day 7 of osteogenic induction culture.The expression of proteins related to the AMPK/BMP2/SMAD signaling pathway was detected by western blot assay.Alizarin red staining was conducted on day 21 to detect osteogenic differences. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The CCK-8 assay results suggested that the amplification of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was inversely proportional to the concentration of palmitic acid,but at 0.02 mmol/L concentration,palmitic acid had no significant effect on the amplification of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and irisin did not affect the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells when its mass concentration was in the range of 0.1-20 μg/L.(2)Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining showed that palmitic acid inhibited the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Irisin improved palmitic acid-induced osteogenic inhibition of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.qRT-PCR results showed that palmitic acid could cause the downregulation of osteogenic-related genes,and irisin could inhibit this trend.(3)Western blot assay results showed that compared with the palmitic acid intervention group,irisin treatment enhanced AMPK/BMP2/SMAD signal transduction in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.It is found that irisin can improve the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells pretreated with palmitic acid,and proposed that the specific mechanism might be mediated by AMPK/BMP/SMAD signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the chemical constituents of the cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta by using UPLC-QE-Orbitrap MS, and investigate the antioxidant activity, and explore the relationship between the constituents and biological activity. METHODS The UPLC HSS T3 C18 column(2.1 mm×10 mm, 1.8 μm) was used. Acetonitrile and water with 0.1% formic acid was used for gradient elution at a 0.2 mL·min–1 flow rateas. Heated electrospray ion source was used for primary and secondary mass spectrometry data acquisition in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. Database and literature reports were used to characterize the chemical constituents of the cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Mipa Alta. DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical(·OH) and superoxide anion radical(· ) scavenging ability were used to investigate the antioxidant activities of the cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta. RESULTS A total of 39 compounds were characterized from the cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta, including 22 phenolic compounds, 13 flavonoids and 4 other components. Both cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta had certain antioxidant capacity. The fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta had better scavenging ability of DPPH than the cladodes, while the cladodes had a slightly stronger scavenging ability of ·OH than the fruits. The scavenging ability of · between cladode peels and fruit peels was not significantly different, and the juice had the strongest scavenging ability of · . The antioxidant activity of Opuntia Milpa Alta was closely related to its rich phenolic acids. CONCLUSION In this study, a rapid, accurate and reliable method is established to identify the chemical constituents of the cladodes and fruits of Opuntia Milpa Alta, which provides scientific basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of Opuntia Milpa Alta.

Objective:To study the clinical value of enhanced recovery after surgery(ERAS) strategy combined with early intestinal fluid reinfusion among neonates receiving jejunostomy due to intestinal obstruction.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2022, neonates with intestinal obstruction receiving jejunostomy in the Department of Neonatal Surgery of our hospital were prospectively enrolled. They were randomly assigned into ERAS group and traditional treatment (TT) group after surgery. The ERAS group was treated with ERAS strategy plus early intestinal fluid reinfusion. The TT group was treated with conventional gastrointestinal decompression, analgesia as needed and enteric fluid reinfusion according to the amount of defecation. The postoperative parenteral nutrition (PN) duration (T pn), central venous catheter (CVC) duration (T cvc), daily weight gain, duration of postoperative hospital stay (T hos), complications and readmission rate within 30 days were compared between the two groups. Results:A total of 22 cases were included in the ERAS group and 20 cases were in the TT group. T pn [(22.6±9.4) d vs. (30.7±11.3) d], T cvc [(5.9±0.8) d vs. (9.9±2.1) d] and T hos [(26.8±9.8) d vs. (33.8±11.5) d] in the ERAS group were significantly shorter than the TT group ( P<0.05). No significant difference existed in daily weight gain between the two groups ( P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative gastrointestinal mucosal bleeding in the ERAS group was significantly lower than the TT group (13.6% vs. 45.0%)( P<0.05). No significant differences existed in the following items between the two groups: feeding intolerance, PN-associated cholestasis, CVC-related bloodstream infection, intestinal fluid reinfusion-related complications, premature closure of fistula and readmission rate within 30 days (all P>0.05). Conclusions:The application of ERAS strategy plus early intestinal fluid reinfusion in neonates with enterostomy is safe and feasible, which can reduce the postoperative durations of PN, CVC and hospital stay and accelerate the recovery.